Complaints of violence in St Kilda are on the rise. 

In a style normally adopted by her AM counterparts, Kate Langbroek has taken to the airwaves to speak out on a community issue affecting her Melbourne neighbourhood. 

Langbroek and husband Peter spoke with Hit Network co-host Hughesy about the incident which occurred on Friday night, around 10pm.

The pair described on-air how, after a man attempted to get in her babysitter’s car, they went outside to investigate. 

The stranger, who appeared ‘deranged’, according to Langbroek, then attempted to enter the family home while her children were inside. 

The intruder attempted to kick down the gate and a scuffle ensued, but Langbroek and her husband managed to keep the man at bay. 

Following the incident, Langbroek is calling on the Victorian Government to act, describing the increasingly dangerous behaviour witnessed in St Kilds as a result of the closure of the Gatwick Hotel (a boarding house) when residents were moved into nearby public housing.

“I love St Kilda and I’m not going to stand by and watch it happen,” Langbroek said. (Listen below.)

‘It’s not sustainable in this country, that people who are living good decent lives, are having those lives compromised by people who’ve chosen to do completely the opposite. The people we’ve elected to solve the problems are not solving the problems.’
 
Reports in Fairfax ​describe how the incident follows dozens of complaints to police in recent months from residents in the City of Port Phillip.

St Kilda’s Grey Street has long been associated with sex work and drug taking, but with gentrification, residents of public housing now live alongside wealthy homeowners.

Local MP and minister for housing and mental health, Martin Foley, told The Age regarding the incident “Our thoughts go out to her and her family,” he said. “I spoke to Ms Langbroek yesterday, and I’m please that an arrest has been made and this matter is now before the courts.”

Following a discussion with the Minister, Langbroek tweeted: